Soops Kitchen, a place of refuge, reflection and revelry.

I had my flu jab today and will have the Covid one next week. If there is a reaction, I want to know which is the culprit.

I must have been on pLnet Zog when I did an online order to Sainsbury which arrived today. No meat, fish, fruit or vegetables. I have a feeling I added items, meaning to return before delivery. Lesson learned.

My cleaner was here today so a spotless house. I am about to retire.

Hello kitchen people,

What have I done today? Not an awful lot.

Three batches of laundry. I made a delicious shepherds pie from the left over leg of lamb. I also popped round to a friend’s house.

I’m on Ancestry and today I was told there is some new DNA - Northern Italy. The only other overseas DNA is Germany and Scandinavia. The rest is northern England, Southern Ireland and Cornwall. Interesting,

I’m off to bed soon, so sleep 💤 tight everyone,

Hi all, good you’re not in pain GG, sadly none of ours eat chutney, but I’ll be on the stuffing making next month.
Hob and splash back, along with fridge cleaned, skirting dusted downstairs, then windowsills.
Took delivery of Christmas cards and the last advent calendar, crackers next.
Then we went to the pub, not so many people there, but sat with three friends - there’s a sort of 5 o’clock club, meet up, two drinks then home. Good to get back and catch up, cottage pie and veg very tasty, but eaten carefully.
Our bed change plus electric blanket tomorrow Redcar it was raining this morning, glad yours helped your back.
It is hard work brook ours rarely stay now at nearly 14 and 19, I miss those times.
Good evening all 🙂

cornergran most people I know have been completely floored by this winter’s Covid jab, even if they’ve not had a reaction before.
My back was so achy yesterday I didn’t know what to do with myself in the evening. I’d had a bad night on Sunday night, with very little sleep, as I was cold. Yesterday morning I stripped the bed, found the electric blanket and put it on the bed ready for colder nights, then had to find the winter weight duvet. After looking in several places and opening various storage bags, I eventually found it under the bed in the back bedroom! Had the usual tussle to get a cover on it then put it on the bed. I had a good sleep last night!
Then I tried to trim down the roots of a shrub that had been completely pot bound, unsuccessfully. One of the DDs or their OHs will lift it into the bin for me on a future visit.
Today has been better. I did some ironing, then visited my dementia friend who was asleep all afternoon. She’s having her flu and Covid vaccinations tomorrow at home. I hope she doesn’t have a bad reaction as she won’t know what’s happening.

I’m glad your face isn’t painful grannygravy.

It’s not surprising that you’re tired brook, grandchildren have a lot of energy and chatter! I hope you sleep well tonight.

Best wishes to all who are in the quiet corner.

Night night everyone.

We’ve done almost nothing today , floored by yesterday’s covid jabs. It’s a mystery why as we’ve both had no reaction in the past and why we both have a reaction is yet another mystery. Oh well, it will pass 🤞

Good to hear your face isn’t painful grannyg. Not surprised you’re exhausted brook. I remember those days well.

I foresee a very early night here. Feet up now. Wishing you all a good rest.

We’ve had a busy day as expected but all good. There’s a jigsaw half completed on the dining table so we’ve moved to the conservatory to eat this evening. The day has passed quickly, the dgc have played well together but it’s been non stop all day and I’m exhausted. I think I’ll be the first in bed this evening, I’ll leave grandad up with the dgc to finish the games and put the puppy to bed
Pleased your face isn’t too sore GG
A chicken pasta dish for dinner is almost ready, thanks to dgd who is a very good sous chef!

It’s quiet in here today.

I have chopped onions and tomatoes ready for my Christmas chutney which I will cook tomorrow. Other than king a chicken and ham pie for dinner this evening I have been rather lazy.

Face isn’t sore, but I will probably frighten small children and horses 🙀

Wishing you all a good nights sleep 🙋‍♀️

TV not to my taste so an early night which probably means midnight. Last night I threw out the UIOs in my freezer but there is little space. I should eat the food in it instead of buying more.

No need for heating today, just taking each day as it comes.

Online delivery tomorrow so probably like others, chicken and salad.

There’s a change of plans here, not surprising with DD2. She phoned this afternoon to ask if the DGC could stay tonight and tomorrow as well as Wednesday- I really don’t mind but I just wish I’d had more notice!
So I’m just waiting for them both to be dropped off here together with the puppy …
I expect there’s going to be very similar moments in our house over the next couple of days grandmabatty I’d hoped that by the ages of 11 and 13 they would have learned to get on a bit better but will see
Sounds painful GG but better now that it’s done, sending a gentle hug
Heating on, house nice and warm and kettle just boiled, no chance to put my feet up though, they’ll probably want to play a game when they arrive .. as long as it’s not Monopoly 😩

GrannyGravy here's a hug right back at you from me! That sounds painful for you.
Nannytopsy I'm steering clear of alcohol too! So a miserable month ahead. Oh well, it'll be worth it. Utbb I've had the heating on most of today. I felt cold.

Good evening, I have just finished a cottage pie from the freezer, home add a a couple of weeks ago ,and it was very nice.
Just before that Sainsbury’s delivery and was put away.

I had a real surprise, almost a shock this afternoon when I went to the dentist. I walked into the room and there stood a new young dentist, no-one had said a word. I have been with the practice for ever and with the old dentist for at least 28 years.
He introduced himself and said he was taking over some patients from Mr B who is winding down.
He was very pleasant and efficient and I was happy but felt annoyed that I wasn’t told, any way my teeth are fine and that is the main thing.

I feel tired tonight ,that walk will have done you a power of good FGT you will sleep well tonight.

It is very Autumnal here and the heating is on, I hope you have all enjoyed some part of your day ad I wish you all a Good evening.

Hi all from a damp S Hants, we’ve had continuous drizzle all day until about 4, good though.
Voluntary phone quite quiet, odd calls too, people checking their bookings rather than making them.
Good news on your booking Charliegirl 👍
Sounds lovely FGT glass of vino is well deserved.
I’m progressing to omelette with well cooked veg tonight, mouth is healing.
Have a good evening all.

11yr old 😡

Hi kitchen friends, I am feeling rather sorry for myself this evening, I had 10 mole like thingy’s on my face treated this afternoon. They are rather stingy, very swollen and I look like I have been in a fight.

Easy dinner, spaghetti sauce from the freezer, fresh linguine and cheesy garlic bread slices. The q1yr old is staying over and he approves.

GC tantrums are very tiring for us Grans, Grandmabatty sending you a (((hug)))

Sounds like a near perfect day FGT 👍

I hope your low carb diet is going well Grandmabatty. Hard with little ones to feed. It’s my go to way of losing weight and I am back to it now that I have given up Wegovy and Mounjaro which didn’t work for me. I haven’t lost much yet but my energy has massively increased. Good thing as I have a lot to do in the garden.
Dry white wine and gin are your friends here!

Well done Fgt. That sounds like a lovely day.
Dgs1 has been a star today and has helped his little brother when he got distressed over a game on the ipad. Dgs2 has had a day of mixed emotions. We have had happy boy and stamping and screaming boy who slammed doors. The word, "no" is obviously annoying him. 😂 when he is good, he is very, very good. But when he is bad...
Anyway he and I played Frustration again and he wanted me to help him spell lots of words. Dd was later picking him up because of an accident on tge motorway and he coped ok with the delay. I'm about to make dinner- salad again with chicken again. This very low carb diet better make a difference! An early night for me. Enjoy the rest of your evening kitchen folk.

‘Evening All’

Our walk was just over 3 miles, almost 10k steps. Quite a few inclines enough to make me feel a bit breathless, which may be considered a Good Thing.

Afternoon tea was delightful.

We got back an hour ago. So lucky with the weather too! Not windy and no rain.

Feeling virtuous now with my feet up on the sofa reading my kindle. A glass of wine will feature at some stage I’m sure 😁

We wondered too grandmab

Good news about your procedure charley. I’m so pleased you won’t have to wait too long. Good luck with the preparations. Definitely makes sense to be as prepared as you can be.

Off for our Covid jabs soon. Flu last week left not an after effect between us. 🤞 the same today. Our local pharmacy is very efficient and the needle wielder both kind and professional.

Enjoy Northumberland fgt. Sounds an excellent start.

Wishing you all the best week it can be.

I don't think it was Shirley!

I was unsure who did it. That is amazing as it was more than one.

Amazed Shirley did that cartwheel 😮

I was seen at the Vascular Clinic on Tuesday, surgery in 6 months + but I received an email today surgery on the 2nd November. There must have been a cancellation. Too early to order my minicab! I am delighted but must do some preparation re easy food as I have no idea what state I will be in. Probably a stagger to the loo and kitchen.

The heating was on most of the day as it was cold.

Jax I thought of you when I saw Craig R=H dancing on Strictly. I don't believe he had a THR, possibly a femoral osteotomy. I didn't enjoy it as I know no celebs and few professionals.

Look after yourselves, I will have an early night.

Hello everyone just to say I’m loving it here already over in Northumberland.

This is the most gorgeous 4 bed cottage - it’s quite luxurious to be honest.

My cousin watched the rugby, I read my kindle drinking mugs of tea while his partner prepped cottage pie (refusing all help) then at 6pm we walked literally the 5 mins to one of the 3 local pubs 🍷🍺

Back to eat and I was ravenous.

A fabulous start to my stay here!

jaxjacky Christmas cards are next on my list, I’ll do that tomorrow.
Just had to order a new printer as the old one was getting a bit too hot for my mental wellbeing! It was the smoke coming out of the back that concerned me…. DSiL said it was probably dust but…

grannygravy well done for driving your DH’s car! You may get to like it in time?

More gardening achieved - feel like I am getting there. Still lots to do.
It’s very chilly here but we have found the our heating isn’t working properly. Upstairs radiators are fine but the downstairs underfloor is less effective. It seems that every Autumn another valve or controller has failed.
We need to sort it out soon.